HER very first experience with needle art came at the age of 10, after buying a cross-stitch kit and making it as a craft project. Today, Sabah-based mural artist Venice Foo produces large art pieces using her self-taught embroidery technique.
“I never thought that I could use needle art as the main medium in my art career, I was just experimenting and started embroidering for fun when I was not painting murals or drawing portraits for clients,” Foo told theSun.
“Slowly, more and more people became interested in what I embroidered; that’s when I decided to focus on this craft.”
How did you teach yourself needlework, and refine your technique?
“To me they are quite similar. Embroidery is almost like painting with different tools, with coloured threads as ‘paint’ and a needle as the ‘paintbrush’.
“When I’m embroidering, it makes the process easier. I learnt almost everything from craft books and also YouTube videos when I first started, the rest [was] just from practice.
“I always believe that practice makes perfect.”
Do you draw inspiration primarily from your home of Sabah, or is it nature in general?
“I’d say natural in general, but not specifically inspired by any certain place. Of course my home, Sabah, is blessed with great nature and I would take inspiration here and there from my surroundings, but most of my artworks are based on an imaginary scenery.
“Like, I would embroider a sunflower field with an octopus running in it. I like to mix up different elements to make the scenery look playful and surreal.”
Beyond social media, where else have your works been displayed?
“Social media, especially Instagram (@chauxhien) has been my main place to show the artworks, but I do enjoy when they are installed and displayed in physical venues where people can see and experience the artworks close up.
“My first experience showing my artwork in public was in an art market in a shopping mall back in 2015.
“I love the feeling of sharing and talking to people about the meaning behind my artworks in person.
“It was a very fulfilling and rewarding event. I joined more art markets and exhibitions after that, and I enjoyed every single one of them. To be able to share my passion like this is definitely a privilege.”
Why do you think others are drawn to your embroidery work?
“To be honest I’m not really sure why others are drawn to my embroidery works. I would like to believe it’s because of my choices of colour palette.
“Also embroidery is an intricate craft and I think people generally appreciate things that took a lot of time to finish.”
You have said that you were able to thrive both personally and professionally this year despite the pandemic. Can you elaborate on that?
“With this Covid-19 pandemic raging on around the world, most people have been affected negatively by it, and of course a self-employed artist like myself is no exception. Many of my projects and events have been cancelled or postponed.
“It was very scary, and I was worrying that sooner or later I [wouldn’t be able to] make a living from art anymore. Luckily I had some savings, and I made a decision to stay and work from home for months to decrease my expenses.
“During these months I’ve been experimenting with different mediums, and also needle art methods like crochet and knitting, which will be very useful for my future art projects.
“I’m very grateful that even though this period of time is tough, I see it as a good opportunity to develop new skillsets.”
Are there future projects you can talk about, or reveal?
“I’ve been working on my third yarn installation for a while now. It will be a similar project as my Yarn-Bombed Tree and After-Rain installations which I set up in a public area so people can enjoy free art.
“I can’t reveal too much about the third installation yet, but I can promise you it’s going to be a colourful one!”
TRIVIA
Hardest piece you’ve worked on?
“It was a mixed-media drawing I did three years ago titled Emersed, using coloured pencil, graphite and ink pen, and it took me months to finish.”
Artists who inspire you the most?
“Miles Johnston. He’s the best pencil artist I’ve discovered so far, I love his detailed and emotionally provoking surrealism human portraits.”
Advice for those interested in embroidery?
“I’d advise new beginners to take their time, and warm up with the needle and threads by creating smaller artworks instead of aiming to finish a big projects right away. Also, rest your eyes once in a while during embroidering, it could be a burden for the eyes to focus for too long!”
